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ForumsenCopyright 20152015-11-12T00:15:26+00:00Letter Senthttp://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/619/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/619/#When:00:15:26Z<p>To the Merc. but somehow not rating inclusion in the newspaper.&nbsp; To which part do you suppose they object?</p>
<p>“Landlords, Residents, Codes and City Government</p>
<p>Randall Baughman <br />
Nov 9 (2 days ago)</p>
<p>to letters <br />
I own a rental property in the area east of the park that is under discussion for zoning change.&nbsp; I am satisfied that my multiple-dwelling property will be grandfathered into the new zoning requirements, and don’t understand this mighty outcry against them. </p>
<p>I also, by choice, live in the area west of city park/Aggieville.&nbsp; The sounds of my neighborhood are what they are.&nbsp; If I wanted quiet and the murmurs of old people, I’d have moved to a home for such.</p>
<p>Ironically, Ms. Churchill’s letter in response to a landlord’s east-side zoning protest points to what has been one of several fatal flaws in the push to institute mandatory inspections.&nbsp; She resents the noise, trash, and lack of EXTERIOR maintenance that comes to her neighborhood with student rental properties.</p>
<p>These two… the rezoning and her issues… have nothing to do with one another.</p>
<p>The exterior maintenance of a property has nothing to do with the safe and adequate housing required by codes and the State Landlord Tenant Act.&nbsp; Yet, Ms. Chruchill’s property values are affected by them.&nbsp; A landlord, on the other hand, is actually penalized in the form of higher property taxes if he chooses to spend substantial money on the appearance of one of his properties.&nbsp; Values are re-assessed annually, and the landlord’s rents received are seldom boosted by such spending.</p>
<p>I propose an incentive.&nbsp; Not an expenditure.&nbsp; Not a sweetheart tax holiday/loan package like those created for the special, hand-picked “winners” of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp; I propose a tax assessment freeze for those landlords who chose to invest in the exterior of their properties, with spending thresholds triggering freezes of longer time periods for greater investments.</p>
<p>Another fatal flaw with the previous attempt at mandatory inspections.. the “we’re going to inspect you and you’re going to pay us to do it” edict of the newly-created inspection department.&nbsp; This is a most egregious example of government overreach.&nbsp; Codes, laws, and a code department are in place to serve the enforcement of safe and adequate housing.&nbsp; The code department should communicate DIRECTLY with tenants instead of demanding that all landlords buffer all of their interactions with tenants by charging the landlords with arranging and attending every inspection.&nbsp; Landlords should be notified ONLY if violations are found.</p>
<p>These things can be accomplished.&nbsp; Common ground can be found.&nbsp; Common sense and the compassion to stand in the other man’s shoes are essential.</p>
<p>And, PLEASE, may we drop the “Ahma/yura conservative/libral” hogwash?&nbsp; After 20 years of this crap, isn’t anyone sick of it beside me?</p>
<p>Randall Baughman<br />
1728 Fairchild Ave<br />
66502</p>
2015-11-12T00:15:26+00:00Demo Derby coming to Manhattan, KShttp://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/615/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/615/#When:01:19:42Z<p>So, the rumors are rampant about what will be happening in Village Plaza.&nbsp; Rays… gone.&nbsp; Running Company… moving.&nbsp; Some are saying WalMart will be building there.&nbsp; Other “big box” rumors are there.&nbsp; Regardless, Anderson Avenue already has difficulty handling existing traffic.&nbsp; Will the City overlook the Anderson Avenue traffic issues and cowtow to the Chamber to allow anything to go into Village Plaza?&nbsp; If a big box is proposed, will street improvements need done before the new facility is allowed to build?&nbsp; Who pays for that?</p>
<p>Could be some interesting Commission meetings as the clandestine plans for Village Plaza see daylight.</p>2015-08-31T01:19:42+00:00Commission pushes for repeal of tax lidhttp://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/614/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/614/#When:03:17:03Z<p>Just wondering what everyone’s take is on today’s story about the Riley Co. Commission proposal to the Kansas Association of Counties to repeal a rule that limits how much counties can take from us in property taxes.&nbsp; (Without requiring elections.)</p>
<p>The story seems to be supportive of the proposal…</p>
<p>“Holman said he thought the proposal could be a good way to open up discussion on a complete repeal of the tax lid.”</p>
<p>“Commissioners expressed support of the proposal as an attempt to push back against the state tax cuts.”</p>
<p>No dissenting views of this proposal?&nbsp; I’d like to hear more perspectives before I decide whether this is a good thing or not, or whether the money I pay in property taxes is a worthy investment in the future of Riley County and Kansas.</p>2015-08-25T03:17:03+00:00Repeat of 93’ manmade Tuttle floodhttp://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/609/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/609/#When:20:12:19Z<p>Someone better be talking and telling the truth about what is projected. Is there a broken valve at the tubes preventing them from opening the west tube? Why are they setting on the water when in the end if they open the gates and blast us locals again they will still flood what they are attempting to save down river. This is the same dumb stuff they done in 93, same ole dumb games brought to you by our government. This will be as it was in 93, a man made flood by the lack of control and proper drainage.<br />
People are going to need more than one day notice so the need to start talking now so the ones that need storage spaces and have a complete house of furniture to move have the time to do that.<br />
Before this all happens let it be known that last time around even with insurance this is a major financial impact. Insurance only covered 70% of my losses. No doubt it will be no better this time around.<br />
Once this is all said and done they need to get the check book out and buy me out.</p>
<p>Look at the projected and the HISTERICAL<br />
<a href="http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/WaterManagement.aspx">http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/WaterManagement.aspx</a></p>2015-06-15T20:12:19+00:00“Financial literacy”!!!!http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/608/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/608/#When:21:52:17Z<p>Brownbackistan wants our kids to be taught “financial literacy”.&nbsp; Yet, Brownie would rather give his political cronies tax breaks than fund education.&nbsp; How do we teach our children “financial literacy” if we won’t financially support seeing that they get a good education??</p>
<p><em>“TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The chairmen of the Kansas House Education Committee and the State Board of Education are urging local school districts to teach financial literacy.</p>
<p>Republican state Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego and GOP state board member Jim McNiece of Wichita signed a joint letter Wednesday to local school board presidents and superintendents.</p>
<p>Their letter said financial literacy is an essential part of a sound education.</p>
<p>The House Education Committee had hearing earlier this year on a bill to require students to pass a financial literacy course in 11th or 12th grade to graduate from high school.</p>
<p>But Highland and McNiece said in their letter that they’re urging districts to teach financial literacy instead of seeking a mandate. They said the state board and the House committee would monitor districts’ efforts.”</em></p>2015-05-13T21:52:17+00:00SNAP… SNAP… SNAP!!!!http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/607/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/607/#When:21:20:23Z<p>The SNAP program is designed to assist those who have fallen on hard times with assistance purchasing food.&nbsp; SNAP was formerly what we called “food stamps”.&nbsp; This is a necesary program which has done tremendous good for so many.&nbsp; The program is administered by the State of Kansas.&nbsp; However, it seems our new City Commission wants to take over administrating this program.</p>
<p>I understand that during a work session, a majority of commissioners want to put the City in the SNAP business.&nbsp; First, they want to hand tax dollars to the Farmer’s Market to match SNAP card purchases.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; They also want to police this so the SNAP cards can only be used for fruit and veggies… not for cookies.&nbsp; Certainly don’t want anyone buying cookies.&nbsp; Those are unhealthy.&nbsp; <br />
If we subsidize the Farmers Market with tax dollars, why are we not subsidizing Ray’s Apple Market or Dillions or Eastside/Westside Market???&nbsp; Would these businesses that also sell fruit and vegetables have a claim to litigate the City??&nbsp; This is REALLY a misuse to our local tax dollars.</p>
<p>In addition to subsidizing the Farmers Market to benefit SNAP card holders, this commission is also wanting to find a way the SNAP cards can be used at City swimming pools.&nbsp; What???&nbsp; First, Brownie just pushed a bill through the Kansas legislature banning the use of SNAP cards for such things as swimming.&nbsp; SNAP… food stamps… should be used for assistance in the purchase of food/necessities.&nbsp; Going swimming on our tax dollars is not a necessity.&nbsp; If our “wise” commissioners decide to move forward with accepting SNAP cards at our local pools, how much will it cost the City when the State files suit??&nbsp; More tax dollars to defend that action???&nbsp; Nice…...</p>
<p>Our community has done quite well with the Social Services Advisory Board and how it works to fund those organizations assisting many of our citizens.&nbsp; Let’s leave it that way.&nbsp; This Commission, however, appears to think they are smarter and wiser than the advisory boards… and the State of Kansas.</p>2015-05-13T21:20:23+00:00TAXGATE v.2015http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/606/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/606/#When:01:06:24Z<p>USD 383 is going to hit us for a property tax increase.&nbsp; Brownback stole education funding and handed it to political cronies in the form of tax cuts.&nbsp; Now, our property taxes will go up as this ballot referendum moves forward.</p>
<p>Brownie’s experiment in governing is a bust.&nbsp; Now the State is suggesting raising our sales tax to cut part of the deficit.&nbsp; Food… clothing… necessities will cost more as sales taxes increase.</p>
<p>The new City Commission has four members in the pocket of the Chamber.&nbsp; As I predicted earlier on this Board, the Fieldhouse fiasco will be moved forward.&nbsp; We will see this “spend happy” commission float a ballot referendum to increase the local sales tax by 1 to 1.5%.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; To have everyone pay for facilities used by a very few.&nbsp; </p>
<p>RCPD increased their budget and we will see a need to add .75 mil to next year’s property taxes to pay for that increase.</p>
<p>Bernie has warned us for the past couple of years we are about to hit a property tax increase driven by current indebtedness.&nbsp; How much will that cost us on our homes?</p>
<p>We’re collecting millions in sales tax dollars for swimming pool and zoo projects already complete.&nbsp; The commission continues to collect that tax and then finds a place to spend it.&nbsp; That tax should ahve been sunset long ago.</p>
<p>We’re collecting millions in sales tax dolalrs for “eco-devo”.&nbsp; We were told “economic development” might well be infrastructure.&nbsp; Instead, this commission will allow the Chamber to pick its usual winners with our tax dollars and the infrastructure will continue to deteriorate.</p>
<p>As one gazes into the crystal ball, we see emptying pocketbooks and nothing to show for it.</p>2015-05-12T01:06:24+00:00Well, Larry?http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/603/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/603/#When:23:14:55Z<p>Where’s that assessment of the make-up of the new city commission?&nbsp; Can you do it without retreating to the standard “libral” and “cornservative”?</p>2015-04-08T23:14:55+00:00Candidate forum tonight - Fire Station Headquartershttp://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/602/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/602/#When:15:32:03Z<p>If you haven’t attended a candidate forum yet and/or don’t know who is going to receive your votes for Manhattan City Commission and USD 383 School Board, the League of Women Voters of Manhattan/Riley County’s forum is tonight.&nbsp; If you can’t get there, you listen to it on 1350KMAN instead.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1538765936397812/">https://www.facebook.com/events/1538765936397812/</a></p>
2015-03-26T15:32:03+00:00How, without a Constitutional Amendment??!!??http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/601/
http://themercury.com/forums/viewthread/601/#When:22:52:57Z<p>So, Brownback is upset that the Kansas Supreme Court wants education funded.&nbsp; So, he is pushing a bill through the Kansas Legislature that will allow the Kansas Supreme Court Justices to be impeached if they don’t rule in Brownback’s favor.&nbsp; New causes for impeachment are being added to the Constitution.&nbsp; Currently, the Constitution talks about “high crimes and misdemeanors”, etc.&nbsp; This change will require the State Supreme Court to agree with the Legislative Branch AND the Executive Branch.&nbsp; Where’s the checks and balances??&nbsp; Brownie is wiping it out.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Legally, how can a bill from a bunch of partisan hacks change the Constitution of the State of Kansas?&nbsp; Shouldn’t this change follow the procedures set forth for any amending/changing of the Constitution?</p>2015-03-25T22:52:57+00:00